In October 2017, Catalonia’s regional government held an unconstitutional referendum without permission from Madrid. Organisers said 90 percent of voters backed a split but turnout was only 43 percent amid a boycott by unionists. Catalonia declared independence as a result of the vote, but not a single state recognised this as legitimate. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is a supporter of Catalonian independence, and was even fined by the FA in 2018 for wearing a yellow ribbon to show his support for political prisoners during the push for separation from Spain.
He later defended his decision to wear the ribbon, and even offered a glimpse of his views on Brexit and Scottish independence as he spoke in defence of freedom of expression.
Guardiola said at the time: “Before a manager, I am a human being.
“You did the Brexit, you let people have their opinion. You allowed Scotland to make a referendum about if you want to stay or not. And, after, the people vote.
“That is what they ask [in Catalonia] and they are in jail right now.”
He added: “There are four guys in prison. There are other guys, who are outside from Catalonia. When they come back, they are going to be jailed, imprisoned for rebellion and sedition.
“They don’t have weapons. The weapons that we have is just the vote, the ballot.
“It’s not about politicians, it’s about democracy; it’s about helping the people who didn’t do absolutely anything.”
A year earlier, Guardiola said he “admired” the UK for making a democratic decision and allowing the people to vote on EU membership.
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“I don’t know. If they don’t want people from outside, then we’ll have to go, or if they don’t want to allow others in, then that’s the way it will be. They are the ones who have to decide.”
